What a show! What an utter fan-service! A tremendously entertaining and absolutely fun film that checked all the right boxes for fans. It was a rare occasion whereby the theatre I was in was filled with whoops, cheers and claps throughout the film. Literally. From the first Easter egg drop within the first ten minutes until the end of the post-credits stinger. This film, undoubtedly, did what no previous Phase 4 MCU films nor recent Star Wars film could, it energised the fans and made them excited for the future.
However, fan service can only carry you so far. The story itself was essentially silly and contrived and the film really needed all that fan servicing - in particular in the third act - to really sustain the nearly 2.5 hours run time. Nonetheless, director Jon Watts and writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers capably delivered a by-the-numbers, MCU/comics romp that had humour and drama, emotional weight and resonance, and pathos. The banter could have been better (ahhh..Joss Whedon is missed!) but at least our core trio of Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon had great chemistry together, and we were not over saddled with a romance story.
Surprisingly, and deservedly, we also had closures with regard to Sam Raimi's trilogy and Marc Webb's Amazing run. That was unexpected and nostalgic.
But in the end, the story itself was silly and contrived
Most of the fights sequences were exciting but as per most superhero films, why do the big climatic ones almost always have to happen at night? This was actually one of the things that made Chloe Zhao's Eternals a standout.
In the big end-battle sequence here, some of the action got a tad confusing although the highlight of it all (no spoilers) could have masked over that. But essentially, it was again, too much CGI and not as well lit as it could be to really follow the action. However, it was definitely fun.
Sometimes we forget that pre-MCU, Holland was a young actor on the cusps of greatness with Billy Elliot and The Impossible. Then he got sucked into the MCU and never really had much chance to deliver on his dramatic chops...until now. Cherry with the Russo brothers notwithstanding, Holland should really go back to his dramatic, indie roots. That said, his Peter Parker was earnest, honest and sincerely moral which really embodied his comic origins. Holland did good here.
Zendaya was definitely better here than she was in Dune and at least her chemistry with Holland was way more organic than what she had with Timothee Chalamet. Her character was more independent and had her own personality/urgency which was better than in the previous two instalments or as compared to Kirsten Dunst's and Emma Stone's characters in the past.
Batalon, again, was the comic relief side-kick. There seemed to be a suggestion for beefing up his role but I guess we will have to wait for the next trilogy to see if that was all foreshadowing or empty gas.
Benedict Cumberbatch was essentially just an extended cameo and power-ed down majorly to allow Spider-Man the spotlight. Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, the film would be over in one act if he unleashed his full power (see: What If...?).
Marissa Tomei was surprisingly effective this time round. With a slightly beefier role that demanded more from her than just Peter's hot aunt. Her chemistry with Jon Favreau was also a highlight, albeit not as well explored as it could have been.
Don't think it will be much of a spoiler to add that Alfred Molina was deliciously hammy but his digital de-aging way too uncanny; Willem Dafoe was having a blast and it showed - possibly the best actor/villain of all the franchise; and James Franco was missed.
Michael Giacchino's score for this Spidey franchise continued to be outstanding and Mauro Fiore's cinematography had some great moments.
Spider-Man: No Way Home continued Holland's streak as one of the most successful onscreen Spider-Man and kind of completes his high-school arc. The next trilogy, if it happens, should consider expanding yet also shrinking its scope on Peter's life either within the MCU or the SSU.
Maybe Kevin Feige should consider making an MCU family drama next. Though that seemed to be what the Disney+ shows are aiming to do.
"But what is grief, if not love persevering?"
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